Customer Reviews

The Opposite of Sex [VHS]

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

For fans of independent, offbeat, dark comedies, The Opposite of Sex is a surefire winner. Christini Ricci will make your jaw drop with her self-centered, selfish, reckless, and over-the-top behavior as Dedee Truitt. Her bitingly sarcastic narration adds much to the film and made me laugh out loud. As outstanding as Ricci is, Lisa Kudrow also manages to shine as Dedee's goody-two-shoes arch-emeny (yes, these two are out for blood in the movie).

Is this movie for everyone? Certainly not. If you do like being hit over the head with shockingly dark humor, then give this movie a try. There actually is some heart underneath all the back-stabbing, betrayals, crime, and seediness in here, too.

Having spent the past few minutes reading through other people's reviews of this movie, I just want to hunt down the authors of the negative, even the tepid, reviews and shake some sense into them. This is one of the sharpest, most brilliant movies I've seen in a long, long time. This is the movie I am making my friends watch one by one; the one that hasn't worn thin over 7 or 8 viewings. No, it's not for everyone: If you're really wedded to Johnny Galecki's total-nice-guy character on Roseanne, or Christina Ricci as an innocent young teenager, you might not enjoy this. And I'd have to lump you with the nicer people Dedee refers to early in the movie: "We call them losers." The actors have had the sense and good taste to move on rather than recycling themselves; why don't you?

One of the best independent films I've seen this year, THE OPPOSITE OF SEX focuses on the narrator of the film, Dedee Truitt, played by Christina Ricci. Perhaps her best performance so far, her dialogue is witty and knowing, her timing impeccable. She portrays Truitt as sort of an actress with no thoughts about getting into pictures or theater but just to get by. She flees to her sometimes understanding gay half-brother, Bill, falls in love with his boyfriend, and takes off with him to a distant place. Meanwhile, and there is a lot of "meanwhile"s in the script, that you seem to get overwhelmed, Bill's deceased love's sister, Lucia Delury, played with great strength by Lisa Kudrow, buys plane tickets to go after the newly formed couple. The film is packed full of truly interesting characters, imaginative one-liners, and a hearty script, one that could only been dreamed up by someone who has gone through this all and survived. That someone should be congratulated. Writer-director Don Roos has made a masterpiece, in my mind anyway. Just because it is an independent film and you have never heard of it, don't pass it by.

What a pleasant, funny movie. This film ran the gamut from vulgar to poignant, and from mindlessly hysterical to thought-provoking. I thought Lisa Kudrow and Lyle Lovett were both excellent. Christina Ricci was really sharp and delightfully trashy, and the film is chock-full of great one liners and zingers. The Opposite of Sex was everything a well-written, intelligent sex comedy should be, and fortunately, everything that American Pie was not.

That's what it says on the box, and that is probably one of the truest comments I have read on any movie box, ever. I have now watched the movie three times in as many days and still cannot get over it. It literally has something to offend anyone, and I don't offend easily - I actually thought "Blue Velvet" was funny. Christina Ricci is great as Deedee, one of the most unlikable characters you can ever imagine, who does not have a heart of gold and does not only need love to magically transform into a better person. Yet, in some way I am yet to verbalize, you land up liking her (kind of). Martin Donovan as her set-upon half-brother is probably every gay man's (and probably a few straight women's) dream and Ricci's scathing narration concerning him makes him even more so. It is a brilliant performance. Having said that, though, the film almost belongs to Lisa Kudrow as Lucia (no - pronounced like Marcia), whose character portrayal is one of the strongest I have seen in a long time. Her comic timing is almost scarily perfect. All in all the movie is one you are not likely to forget, and I mean ever. This is due largely to the truly excellent script, which should have won an Oscar at least. It offers a perfect platform for the six main characters to launch their altogether brilliant performances. The direction is tight and there is literally not a frame wasted in what is sure to become an absolute cult classic.

"The Opposite of Sex" has the reputation for not being for all tastes, which is unfortunate, since this should be required viewing for those with an open mind and an open heart. This is an endlessly clever and well acted comedy that portrays the lives of characters that have flaws, that make mistakes, who judge and criticize, often prematurely, in an effort to find true happiness...just like many real people do. And as many noted, the unquestionable highlights are the stunning performances from both Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow. Ricci has simply never been better...her sharp commentary is both wickedly clever and amazingly incisive. Kudrow has perhaps the best role of her career as the acid-tongued Lucia, and one can't help but empathize with her despite her sharp witted barbs. The most amazing feat of "The Opposite of Sex" is that despite all the characters' shortcomings, we become so deeply involved in their plight that the ending becomes unexpectedly heatrfelt and moving, but in the least traditional or sappy way imaginable. This is one of the very best films of the year, for fans of sharp comedy and heartfelt insights into people who are less than perfect, but more than a little extraordinary.

The Opposite of Sex, (a Christina Ricci showcase), pulls off an almost impossible trick - it's a gleefully irreverent piece of political incorrectness that is never mean-spirited - indeed, as much as it would pain Dede, (the Ricci character), to admit it, the movie has heart. This is a solid film that holds up very nicely under repeated viewings.

Much has been made of Dede's narration, (more of an anti-narration), and the way it lampoons film conventions, traditional plot points, and viewer expectations. She's saucy, fun, and outrageous - the kind of smart mouth teenager who's not nearly as tough and savvy as she wants you to believe. But the real hero of this picture is writer, and novice director, Don Roos. With a lead as flamboyant as Dede it must surely have been tempting to go for the broad laugh, instead, Roos took the high road.

Listen carefully to the dialogue in this film, especially anytime Lucia, Lisa Kudrow, is speaking. Kudrow gives the performance of a lifetime - perfect - but with scripting that smart and well turned it's hard to go wrong. In Dede you have cynicism that wants to be cool, in Lucia you have genuine misery born of a feeling that everyone but you was invited to a party.

This film looks at the meaning of being gay from every imaginable angle. At one end are Dede's stereotypes of why real estate agents prefer selling the homes of gay men; at the other is the memorable scene between Bill, (Dede's half brother), and the preposterous Johnny, (Jason Block). Bill, normally thoughtful and quiet, has found an aggressive way to command Johnny's attention, (Johnny is defaming and extorting him). Bill's short, passionate speech detailing what he has had to endure as a gay man in order to make way for a next generation of ungrateful gay men like Johnny is hilarious, sad, and powerful; quite an accomplishment.

Comedy is hard, dark comedy is harder still. But delivering a dark comedy with truth and bite, that leaves you liking humanity more - not less - that's the opposite of common, that is truly exceptional.

Don Roos writes & directs Christina Ricci (Buffalo '66), Lisa Kudrow (Friends), Martin Donovan, and Lyle Lovett (the dude who was married to Julia Roberts) in "The Opposite of Sex" which tackles almost every subject having to do with sex including AIDs, homosexuality, relationships, why we like sex, you name it. The movie is smart, entertaining, and funny; the cast is perfect. It's really a quality movie. Ricci plays the 16-year old Dedee Truitt, who lives with her mother whom she can't stand and her stepfather who has just passed away. In a act of rebellion, she moves in with her half-brother Bill Truitt (Donovan), a homosexual school teacher. Dedee is a character we've seen in plenty of movies; she's deceitful, a liar, cold, and devilishly smart. Anyway, Dedee seduces Bill's boyfriend Matt (Ivan Sergei) and then announces that she's pregnant. Leaving Bill hearbroken, Matt and Dedee move to Los Angeles and Bill continues living his life. But then a former student of Bill's looking for Matt accuses Bill of molesting him in school, when Bill will not reveal Matt's whereabouts. With his reputation ruined, his former-dead-lover's sister Lucia (Kudrow), who's clearly in love with Bill heads to L.A. with Bill to track down both Dedee and Matt. But things don't go down that easy. Christina Ricci is a talented actress, she can play any character she wants to. Nice girl, naughty girl, or downright mean girl. I think the latter is what she plays best and she's in top form here. The thing I thought was interesting was that I was more interested in the story between Bill and Lucia then I was with Ricci's character though. Since her character would disappear for long intervals (although, Ricci narrates the movie), I noticed I was more entertained without her. Anyway, it's a flawed film definitely but I enjoyed it a lot. It's witty and makes quite a few good points about a lot of different subjects.

GRADE: A-

This is a GREAT film that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you can take the scathing, politically-incorrect rantings of Christina Ricci in a FABULOUS role without getting offended, then this is the film for you! It is funny beyond belief and is just wonderful. The best sub-plot revolves around Ricci's character seducing her brother's seemingly homo-sexual lover. What fun! You have to listen to get every luscious detail, but this film is really worth a go...An absolute 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!

Though not the funniest movie of 1998 (that goes to "There's Something About Mary"), this was definitely the smartest comedy of the year. Be prepared for a like/hate relationship with the lead character (Christina Ricci) as she manipulates you and everyone in the film. Whether poking fun at death scenes or voiceovers or the sympathy music in movies designed to tug at our hearts, she is a breath of fresh air in an industry full of stale, predictable characters.

Despite the fact that she seems to be a sexhound who can't appreciate love, this movie is also about real love. When Lyle Lovett says to Lisa Kudrow that "love is when you are the first thing your partner sees when he/she walks into a crowded room" (paraphrased), you realize that this not just a bitter comedy but one that also embraces true love over sex every time.

It's true that this movie isn't for everyone; but if you're willing to laugh at the crazy misfortunes that sex can bring, then this movie will have you laughing again and again. Enjoy!